On March 1, 2017, the 98th anniversary of Samiljeol, marking Korea’s push towards independence from Japan, many South Korean citizens refused to hoist the national flag to avoid the misapprehension that they opposed the impeachment of president Park Geun-hye. The South Korean flag – which was overwhelmingly used as an emblem, shield, and weapon by agitators who supported president Park – has gradually become the symbol of a political group advocating capitalism, pro-American policies, and objection to reunification of two Koreas.

In Abeyance, South Korean Flag is an attempt to both dismantle and vacate the symbolic function of the South Korean flag as a tool of communication, support, violence, resilience, and surrender. The recreation of the flagpoles strictly follows governmental regulation in its measurement, color, and material. Nevertheless, with its absent flag, forged poles, and worn down quality, seemingly from disregard of the proper storing methods as well as the meaning of flag-raising, the flagpoles now embody limitless potential for all function, if not none.